The protesters, who read from a script, used the "human megaphone" technique as they shouted, "This will only take a minute... You capitalize on dividing Americans / claiming people that disagree with you / are unpatriotic socialists / and you promote discrimination."

Bachmann first stood frozen at the podium, seemingly unsure whether to let the protesters continue or try to stop them. Members of the audience started a loud counter-protest of "sit down!" to no avail.

Bachmann was escorted offstage by police and returned a few minutes later, saying, "Don't you love the First Amendment?"